A routine inspection by Border Management Authority (BMA) border guards at the busy Lebombo port of entry (PoE), on the border with Mozambique, uncovered 34 passports in possession of a single person, who was apprehended by border guards.

A BMA statement has it the multiple passports – 32 Mozambican and two Angolan – along with bank notes were found on the suspect, whose nationality is not given. “A case of possession of suspected stolen property has been opened and further investigations are underway to determine the origins of the passports,” according to the statement which terms the arrest “significant”.

BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato applauded the arrest, saying it is a message to “illegal facilitators who continue to undermine the border control system” adding the Authority will continue to “charge them criminally with aiding and abetting as prescribed by the Immigration Act”.

He praised the border guards as the frontline BMA troops for their attention to detail and commitment to safeguarding South Africa’s ports as “crucial” to ongoing efforts to combat illegal activities and root out corruption.

“The Border Management Authority remains steadfast in its mission to secure the 71 ports of entry and ensure the safety and security of all citizens. The BMA will continue to work closely with law enforcement agencies to prevent and combat cross-border crimes,” it said.

In addition to Masiapato’s men and women, deployed at or in the vicinity of South Africa’s 71 ports of entry, border control and protection is also delegated to the SA National Defence Force (SANDF). By way of Operation Corona this sees 14 companies deployed along South Africa’s 4 862 km of land border with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe. The SA Police Service (SAPS) also has a dedicated border police team.